The U.S. has been close to predicting this for several days, and perhaps Mr. Biden wanted to give the Russian President one more opportunity to consider the consequences of war. The U.S. President said the U.S. and Europe will be firm and united in response, as will America’s political parties. If Mr. Putin thought he would be getting a free ride, Mr. Biden said he is mistaken.
We hope he’s right, though Mr. Putin is surely expecting that the Europeans will blink when it comes to serious sanctions. His propaganda machine will work overtime to fan European fears of a broader conflict and economic damage, as well as the rising isolationist sentiment on the American left and right.
It’s worth saying what should have been obvious long ago but was forgotten after decades of relative peace in Europe: A Russian invasion of Ukraine should mean the end to illusions about shared international values and norms. The era of authoritarian imperialism is back with a vengeance.
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